Systems and methods for moving a component of an x-ray machine

ABSTRACT

A device may include a base, a transmission assembly, and a response assembly. The transmission assembly may be configured to move a component of a medical device. The transmission assembly may include a cable and a wheel connected to the base. An end of the cable may be connecting to a part of the component of the medical device. The response assembly may be connected to the transmission assembly. The response assembly may be configured to generate a response in response to a break of the cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/965,905, filed on Apr. 28, 2018, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2017/120420 filed on Dec. 31, 2017,which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201710263261.6,filed on Apr. 20, 2017. The entire contents of the above-referencedapplications are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to X-ray machines, and morespecifically relates to systems and methods for moving a component ofx-ray machines.

BACKGROUND

X-ray imaging is a technology that uses an X-ray scanner to scan anobject to generate an X-ray image of the object. The X-ray imagingtechnology has been widely used in medical diagnosis, radiation therapyplanning, surgery planning, and other medical procedures. In an X-rayscanner, a gantry head of the X-ray scanner may be moved based on atransmission apparatus. The transmission apparatus may include a maincable and an assistant cable. One end of the main cable may be connectedto the gantry head of the X-ray scanner, and the other end of the maincable may be connected to a clump weight. One end of the assistant cablemay be connected to the gantry head of the X-ray scanner, and the otherend of the assistant cable may be connected to an immovable component ofthe X-ray scanner. When the gantry head needs to move, a user may applya force on the gantry head. During movement of the gantry head, the maincable may undertake the weight of the gantry head. When the main cablebreaks, the assistant cable may hold the gantry head to avoid the sharpdrop of the gantry head. However, when the main cable breaks, a user oroperator may not know the break of the main cable timely. Therefore, itis desirable to provide systems and methods for X-ray scanning to detectthe break of the cable when it occurs.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a device fortransferring a component of a medical device is provided. The device mayinclude a base, a transmission assembly, and a response assembly. Thetransmission assembly may be configured to move a component of a medicaldevice. The transmission assembly may include a cable and a wheelconnected to the base. An end of the cable may be connecting to a partof the component of the medical device. The response assembly may beconnected to the transmission assembly. The response assembly may beconfigured to generate a response in response to a break of the cable.

In some embodiments, the response assembly may include a first componentand a second component. The position of the first component relative toa position of the second component may change when the cable breaks.

In some embodiments, when the cable breaks, the change of the positionof the first component relative to the position of the second componentmay include the first component coming in contact with the secondcomponent. In some embodiments, when the cable breaks, the change of theposition of the first component relative to the position of the secondcomponent may include the first component becoming separated from thesecond component.

In some embodiments, the first component may include a rotary armconnected to the base. The rotary arm may include a first end configuredto come in contact with or become separated from the second component inresponse to the break of the cable.

In some embodiments, the first end of the rotary arm may have a curvedsurface contacting with the cable.

In some embodiments, the first end of the rotary arm may include a firstaccessory and a second accessory. The second accessory may include acylinder connected to the first accessory.

In some embodiments, the second accessory may include a grooveconfigured to accommodate at least one portion of the cable.

In some embodiments, the second accessory may include a first plate anda second plate connected to the cylinder. The groove may be formed bythe first plate, the second plate, and a circumference of the cylinder.

In some embodiments, the response assembly may further include a firstresetting component attached to the first component. The first resettingcomponent may be configured to cause the change of the position of thefirst component relative to the position of the second component whenthe cable breaks.

In some embodiments, the first resetting component may include at leastone of an elastic part or a clump weight.

In some embodiments, the response may include generating a signalindicating the break of the cable.

In some embodiments, the response assembly may include a circuitryconfigured to generate the signal indicating the break of the cable.

In some embodiments, the response may include stopping the wheel torotate.

In some embodiments, the second component may include a mechanicalaccessory configured to stop the wheel to rotate.

In some embodiments, the response assembly may include a first componentand a second component. A position of the first component relative to aposition of the second component changes when the cable breaks. In someembodiments, the mechanical part may include a support, a secondresetting component, and a locking block. The support may be connectedto the base. The second resetting component may be connected to thesupport and the locking block. The second resetting component may beconfigured to drive the locking block to stop the wheel in response tothe change of the position of the first component relative to theposition of the second component.

In some embodiments, the locking block may include a groove configuredto accommodate at least one portion of the first component.

In some embodiments, the wheel may include at least one hole configuredto accommodate at least one portion of the locking block.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided.The system may include a scanner including a radiation source and atransmission apparatus configured to transfer a component of thescanner. The transmission apparatus may include a base, a transmissionassembly, and a response assembly. The transmission assembly may beconfigured to move a component of a medical device. The transmissionassembly may include a cable and a wheel connected to the base. An endof the cable may be connecting to a part of the component of the medicaldevice. The response assembly may be connected to the transmissionassembly. The response assembly may be configured to generate a responsein response to a break of the cable.

Additional features will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the artupon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or maybe learned by production or operation of the examples. The features ofthe present disclosure may be realized and attained by practice or useof various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities andcombinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is further described in terms of exemplaryembodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described in detail withreference to the drawings. These embodiments are non-limiting exemplaryembodiments, in which like reference numerals represent similarstructures throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging systemaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary X-ray device according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant disclosure. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, systems,components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relativelyhigh-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringaspects of the present disclosure. Various modifications to thedisclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limitedto the embodiments shown, but to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise,”“comprises,” and/or “comprising,” “include,” “includes,” and/or“including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that the term “system,” “engine,” “unit,”“module,” and/or “block” used herein are one method to distinguishdifferent components, elements, parts, section or assembly of differentlevel in ascending order. However, the terms may be displaced by anotherexpression if they achieve the same purpose.

Generally, the word “module,” “unit,” or “block,” as used herein, refersto logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection ofsoftware instructions. A module, a unit, or a block described herein maybe implemented as software and/or hardware and may be stored in any typeof non-transitory computer-readable medium or another storage device. Insome embodiments, a software module/unit/block may be compiled andlinked into an executable program. It will be appreciated that softwaremodules can be callable from other modules/units/blocks or themselves,and/or may be invoked in response to detected events or interrupts.Software modules/units/blocks configured for execution on computingdevices may be provided on a computer-readable medium, such as a compactdisc, a digital video disc, a flash drive, a magnetic disc, or any othertangible medium, or as a digital download (and can be originally storedin a compressed or installable format that needs installation,decompression, or decryption prior to execution). Such software code maybe stored, partially or fully, on a storage device of the executingcomputing device, for execution by the computing device. Softwareinstructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will befurther appreciated that hardware modules/units/blocks may be includedin connected logic components, such as gates and flip-flops, and/or canbe included of programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays orprocessors. The modules/units/blocks or computing device functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented as software modules/units/blocks butmay be represented in hardware or firmware. In general, themodules/units/blocks described herein refer to logicalmodules/units/blocks that may be combined with othermodules/units/blocks or divided into sub-modules/sub-units/sub-blocksdespite their physical organization or storage. The description may beapplicable to a system, an engine, or a portion thereof.

It will be understood that when a unit, engine, module or block isreferred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to,” anotherunit, engine, module, or block, it may be directly on, connected orcoupled to, or communicate with the other unit, engine, module, orblock, or an intervening unit, engine, module, or block may be present,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present disclosure,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, may become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description with reference to the accompanying drawings, allof which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the drawings arenot to scale.

The present disclosure relates to a device and system for imaging. Insome embodiments, the system may include a medical device. The medicaldevice may include a gantry head including a radiation source and atransmission apparatus configured to transfer the gantry head. Thetransmission apparatus may include a base, a transmission assembly, anda response assembly. The transmission assembly may be configured to movea component of a medical device. The transmission assembly may include acable and a wheel connected to the base. An end of the cable may beconnecting to a part of the component of the medical device. Theresponse assembly may be connected to the transmission assembly. Theresponse assembly may be configured to generate a response in responseto a break of the cable.

It should be noted that the imaging system 100 described below is merelyprovided for illustration purposes, and not intended to limit the scopeof the present disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in theart, a certain amount of variations, changes, and/or modifications maybe deducted under the guidance of the present disclosure. Thosevariations, changes, and/or modifications do not depart from the scopeof the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging system100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown,the imaging system 100 may include an X-ray device 110, a processingdevice 120, a storage 130, one or more terminal(s) 140, and a network150. In some embodiments, the X-ray device 110, the processing device120, the storage 130, and/or the terminal(s) 140 may be connected toand/or communicate with each other via a wireless connection (e.g., thenetwork 150), a wired connection, or a combination thereof. Theconnections between the components in the imaging system 100 may vary.Merely by way of example, the X-ray device 110 may be connected to theprocessing device 120 through the network 150, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As another example, the X-ray device 110 may be connected to theprocessing device 120 directly. As a further example, the storage 130may be connected to the processing device 120 through the network 150,as illustrated in FIG. 1 , or connected to the processing device 120directly. As still a further example, the terminal(s) 140 may beconnected to the processing device 120 through the network 150, asillustrated in FIG. 1 , or connected to the processing device 120directly.

The X-ray device 110 may include a gantry 112 and a table 114. Thegantry 112 may include a body, a gantry head, a transmission apparatus,etc. The body may be configured to support a component of the X-raydevice 110, such as the gantry head. The gantry head may include anX-ray source configured to generate and/or emit X-rays. The transmissionapparatus may be configured to move the gantry head.

The processing device 120 may process data and/or information obtainedfrom the X-ray device 110, the storage 130, and/or the terminal(s) 140.For example, the processing device 120 may reconstruct an image relatingto at least one part of a subject (e.g., a tumor) based on image datacollected by the X-ray device 110. As another example, the processingdevice 120 may determine a specific position of the gantry head of theX-ray device 110. Then, the processing device 120 may control thetransmission apparatus of the X-ray device 110 to move the gantry headto the specific position. In some embodiments, the processing device 120may be a single server or a server group. The server group may becentralized or distributed. In some embodiments, the processing device120 may be local or remote. For example, the processing device 120 mayaccess information and/or data from the X-ray device 110, the storage130, and/or the terminal(s) 140 via the network 150. As another example,the processing device 120 may be directly connected to the X-ray device110, the terminal(s) 140, and/or the storage 130 to access informationand/or data. In some embodiments, the processing device 120 may beimplemented on a cloud platform. For example, the cloud platform mayinclude a private cloud, a public cloud, a hybrid cloud, a communitycloud, a distributed cloud, an inter-cloud, a multi-cloud, or the like,or a combination thereof.

The storage 130 may store data, instructions, and/or any otherinformation. In some embodiments, the storage 130 may store dataobtained from the X-ray device 110, the processing device 120, and/orthe terminal(s) 140. In some embodiments, the storage 130 may store dataand/or instructions that the processing device 120 may execute or use toperform exemplary methods described in the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the storage 130 may include a mass storage, removablestorage, a volatile read-and-write memory, a read-only memory (ROM), orthe like, or any combination thereof. Exemplary mass storage may includea magnetic disk, an optical disk, a solid-state drive, etc. Exemplaryremovable storage may include a flash drive, a floppy disk, an opticaldisk, a memory card, a zip disk, a magnetic tape, etc. Exemplaryvolatile read-and-write memory may include a random access memory (RAM).Exemplary RAM may include a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a double date ratesynchronous dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a thyristorRAM (T-RAM), and a zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM), etc. Exemplary ROM mayinclude a mask ROM (MROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasableprogrammable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), a compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), and a digital versatile disk ROM,etc. In some embodiments, the storage 130 may be implemented on a cloudplatform as described elsewhere in the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the storage 130 may be connected to the network 150to communicate with one or more other components in the imaging system100 (e.g., the processing device 120, the terminal(s) 140). One or morecomponents in the imaging system 100 may access the data or instructionsstored in the storage 130 via the network 150. In some embodiments, thestorage 130 may be part of the processing device 120.

The terminal(s) 140 may be connected to and/or communicate with theX-ray device 110, the processing device 120, and/or the storage 130. Forexample, the terminal(s) 140 may obtain a processed image from theprocessing device 120. As another example, the terminal(s) 140 mayobtain image data acquired via the X-ray device 110 and transmit theimage data to the processing device 120 to be processed. In someembodiments, the terminal(s) 140 may include a mobile device 141, atablet computer 142, a laptop computer 143, or the like, or anycombination thereof. For example, the mobile device 140-1 may include amobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, anavigation device, a point of sale (POS) device, a laptop, a tabletcomputer, a desktop, or the like, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the terminal(s) 140 may include an input device, an outputdevice, etc. The input device may include alphanumeric and other keysthat may be input via a keyboard, a touchscreen (for example, withhaptics or tactile feedback), a speech input, an eye tracking input, abrain monitoring system, or any other comparable input mechanism. Theinput information received through the input device may be transmittedto the processing device 120 via, for example, a bus, for furtherprocessing. Other types of the input device may include a cursor controldevice, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, etc. Theoutput device may include a display, a speaker, a printer, or the like,or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the terminal(s) 140 maybe part of the processing device 120.

The network 150 may include any suitable network that can facilitate theexchange of information and/or data for the imaging system 100. In someembodiments, one or more components of the imaging system 100 (e.g., theX-ray device 110, the processing device 120, the storage 130, theterminal(s) 140, etc.) may communicate information and/or data with oneor more other components of the imaging system 100 via the network 150.For example, the processing device 120 may obtain image data from theX-ray device 110 via the network 150. As another example, the processingdevice 120 may obtain user instruction(s) from the terminal(s) 140 viathe network 150. The network 150 may be and/or include a public network(e.g., the Internet), a private network (e.g., a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN)), etc.), a wired network (e.g., anEthernet network), a wireless network (e.g., an 802.11 network, a Wi-Finetwork, etc.), a cellular network (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE)network), a frame relay network, a virtual private network (VPN), asatellite network, a telephone network, routers, hubs, witches, servercomputers, and/or any combination thereof. For example, the network 150may include a cable network, a wireline network, a fiber-optic network,a telecommunications network, an intranet, a wireless local area network(WLAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a public telephone switchednetwork (PSTN), a Bluetooth™ network, a ZigBee™ network, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) network, or the like, or any combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the network 150 may include one or more network accesspoints. For example, the network 150 may include wired and/or wirelessnetwork access points such as base stations and/or internet exchangepoints through which one or more components of the imaging system 100may be connected to the network 150 to exchange data and/or information.

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, thestorage 130 may be a data storage including cloud computing platforms,such as public cloud, private cloud, community, and hybrid clouds, etc.However, those variations and modifications do not depart the scope ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary X-ray device 200according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2 , the X-ray device 200 may include a body 210, a transmissionapparatus 220, and a gantry head 230.

The body 210 may be configured to provide a support to a component(e.g., the transmission apparatus 220, the gantry head 230) of the X-raydevice 200. The gantry head 230 may include an X-ray source. The X-raysource may generate and/or emit X-rays to scan a subject to be examined.In some embodiments, the gantry head 230 may be movable relative to thebody 210. The transmission apparatus 220 may be configured to move thegantry head 230 such that the gantry head 230 may be used to scan asubject.

In some embodiments, the transmission apparatus 220 may include a base221, a wheel 222, and a cable 223. The base 221 may be fixed to a coverof the body 210. The wheel 222 may be connected to the base 221 via, forexample, a shaft. The wheel 222 may rotate relative to the shaft. Insome embodiments, the wheel 222 may include a pulley. The cable 223 maypass through the wheel 222. One end of the cable 223 may be connected tothe gantry head 230. The other end of the cable 223 may be connected toa clump weight. The weight of the clump weight may equal to the weightof the gantry head 230. When the gantry head 230 needs to be moved(e.g., upward or downward), a user or operator may apply a force to thegantry head 230 such that the gantry head 230 may move, for example, ina vertical direction along the rotation of the wheel 222.

In some embodiments, the transmission apparatus 220 may further includea response assembly configured to provide a response if the cable 223breaks. In some embodiments, the response may include generating asignal indicating the break of the cable 223. The signal indicating thebreak of the cable 223 may be voice, an image, a text, a video, or thelike, or a combination thereof. The transmission apparatus 220 mayoutput the signal to the terminal(s) 140. Alternatively or additionally,the response may include stopping the wheel 222 to rotate. Moredescriptions of the transmission apparatus 220 may be found elsewhere inthis disclosure (e.g., FIGS. 3-6 and the descriptions thereof).

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, theX-ray device 200 may further include an assistant cable. One end of theassistant cable may be connected to the gantry head 230, and the otherend of the assistant cable may be attached to an immovable component,such as the cover of the body 210. When the cable 223 breaks, theassistant cable may hold the gantry head 230 to prevent the gantry head230 from dropping down rapidly. As another example, the transmissionapparatus 220 may include a gear transmission device. The geartransmission device may include one or more gears driven by, forexample, a motor. The cable 223 may include a silent chain.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatus 300according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 3 , the transmission apparatus 300 may include a base assembly 310,a wheel 322, a first cable 323, a second cable 324, and a responseassembly 340. The transmission apparatus 300 may be configured to move acomponent of a medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230 of the X-raydevice 200).

The base assembly 310 may include a substrate 311, a first lifting lug312, and a second lifting lug 313. The substrate 311 may be coupled toan immovable component of the medical device (e.g., a cover of the body210 of the X-ray device 200 as shown in FIG. 2 ). The first lifting lug312 and the second lifting lug 313 may be mounted on the substrate 311with a space. The space between the first lifting lug 312 and the secondlifting lug 313 may be configured to accommodate the wheel 322. Thewheel 322 may be connected to the first lifting lug 312 and the secondlifting lug 313 respectively via a connector (not shown in FIG. 3 ),such as a shaft. The wheel 322 may rotate relative to the connector. Thefirst cable 323 and the second cable 324 may pass through the wheel 322for moving a component of a medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230 ofthe X-ray device 200). One end of the first cable 323 may be connectedto a clump weight. The other end of the first cable 323 may be connectedto the component of the medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230 of theX-ray device 200). The weight of the clump weight may be equal to thatof the component of the medical device. When the component of themedical device (e.g., the gantry head 230 of the X-ray device 200) needsto move (e.g., upward or downward), a user or an operator may apply aforce to the component of the medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230of the X-ray device 200). The force applied on the component of themedical device may cause the component of the medical device (e.g., thegantry head 230 of the X-ray device 200) to move, upward or downward,along the rotation of the wheel 322. One end of the second cable 324 maybe attached to an immovable component (e.g., a cover of the X-ray device200). The other end of the second cable 324 may be connected to thecomponent of the medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230 of the X-raydevice 200). When the transmission apparatus 300 runs normally, theweight of the component of the medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230of the X-ray device 200) may be withstood by the first cable 323. Whenthe first cable 323 breaks, the second cable 324 may bear the weight ofthe component of the medical device (e.g., the gantry head 230 of theX-ray device 200). The second cable 324 may hold the component of themedical device to prevent a rapid fall of the component of the medicaldevice (e.g., the gantry head 230 of the X-ray device 200).

The response assembly 340 may be configured to generate a response inresponse to a break of the first cable 323. In some embodiments, theresponse assembly 340 may include a first component 341 and a secondcomponent 342. The first component 341 may connect to the base assembly310 movably. In some embodiments, the first component 341 may include arotary arm connected to the base assembly 310. In some embodiments, thefirst component 341 may include a resetting component attached to therotary arm. The resetting component may be configured to cause the firstcomponent 341 to rotate when the first cable 323 breaks. Moredescriptions of the first component 341 may be found elsewhere in thisdisclosure (e.g., FIG. 4 and the descriptions thereof). The secondcomponent 342 may be configured to generate and/or output a response inresponse to the break of the first cable 323. The second component 342may be connected to the base assembly 310. In some embodiments, thesecond component 342 may include a circuitry configured to generate theresponse (e.g., a signal indicating the break of the cable). Moredescription of the circuitry for generating the signal may be foundelsewhere in this disclosure (e.g., FIG. 5 and the descriptionsthereof). In some embodiments, the second component 342 may include amechanical accessory configured to generate the response (e.g., stoppingthe wheel 322 to rotate). More description of the mechanical accessoryfor stopping the wheel 322 to rotate may be found elsewhere in thisdisclosure (e.g., FIG. 6 and the descriptions thereof).

In some embodiments, the position of the first component 341 relative tothe position of the second component 342 may change when the first cable323 breaks, which may trigger the second component 342 to provide theresponse. As used herein, the change of the position of the firstcomponent 341 relative to the second component 342 refers to that atleast one portion of the first component 341 may move or rotate relativeto the second component 342. For example, the change of the position ofthe first component 341 relative to the position of the second component342 may include one end of the first component 341 coming in contactwith at least one portion of the second component 342. As anotherexample, the change of the position of the first component 341 relativeto the position of the second component 342 may include one end of thefirst component 341 becoming separated from at least one portion of thesecond component 342.

In some embodiments, a position relationship between the first component341 and the second component 342 may be in a first state or a secondstate. The first state may include the first component 341 being incontact with the second component 342. The second state may include thefirst component 341 being separated from the second component 342. Thefirst state and the second state may change to another state when thefirst cable 323 breaks. For example, if the first component 341 is beingin contact with the second component 342 before the first cable 323breaks, the first component 341 may be separated from the secondcomponent 342 when the first cable 323 breaks. As another example, ifthe first component 341 is separated from the second component 342before the first cable 323 breaks, the first component 341 may come intobeing in contact with the second component 342 when the first cable 323breaks.

In some embodiments, when the transmission apparatus 300 runs normally(also referred to as the first cable 323 does not break), the firstcable 323 may be in contact with the first component 341. The firstcable 323 may apply a force on the first component 341 to keep theposition of the first component 341 unchanged relative to the positionof the second component 342. When the first cable 323 breaks, the forceapplied to the first component 341 by the first cable 323 may disappear.The first component 341 may be driven by the resetting component torotate. Then, the position of the first component 341 may changerelative to the position of the second component 342.

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. However, thosevariations and modifications do not depart the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the transmission apparatus 300 may include oneor more connectors and/or fixing members configured to connect the firstcomponent 341 and/or the second component 342 with the base assembly310.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatus 400according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustratedin FIG. 4 , the transmission apparatus 400 may include a base assembly410, a wheel 422, and a response assembly 440. In some embodiments, thetransmission apparatus 400 may further include a cable (not shown inFIG. 4 ) for connecting a component of a medical device (e.g., thegantry head 230 of the X-ray device 200) to a clump weight. The responseassembly 440 may be configured to generate a response when the cablebreaks. The response assembly 440 may include a first component 441 anda second component 442. More descriptions of the base assembly 410, thewheel 422, the first component 441, and the second component 442 may befound elsewhere in the disclosure (e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 , anddescriptions thereof).

The first component 441 may include a rotary arm. The rotary arm may beconnected to the lifting lug 412 of the base assembly 410 rotatably viaa connector 4430 (e.g., a shaft). In some embodiments, the rotary armmay include a first end 4410 and a second end 4420. The connector 4430may be disposed between the first end 4410 and the second end 4420. Insome embodiments, the first end 4410 may have a curved surfacecontacting with the cable of the transmission apparatus 400. In someembodiments, the first end 4410 may include a first accessory 4412 and asecond accessory 4414. The second accessory 4414 may be connected to thefirst accessory 4412. The second accessory 4414 may rotate relative tothe first accessory 4412. In some embodiments, the second accessory 4414may include a cylinder connected to the first accessory 4412. Thecylinder may have a groove for accommodating at least one portion of thecable (not shown in FIG. 4 ) of the transmission apparatus 400. In someembodiments, the second accessory 4414 may include a first plate and asecond plate connected to the cylinder. The groove may be formed by thefirst plate, the second plate, and a circumference of the cylinder.

In some embodiments, the transmission apparatus 400 may include aresetting component 450 associated with at least one part (e.g., thefirst accessory 4412 or the second accessory 4414) of the first end4410. The resetting component 450 may be configured to cause theposition of the first component 441 relative to the position of thesecond component 442 to change when the cable breaks. For example, whenthe transmission apparatus 400 runs normally (i.e., the cable does notbreak), the cable may be contacted with at least one part (e.g., thesecond accessory 4414) of the first end 4410 and apply a first force tothe at least one part (e.g., the second accessory 4414) of the first end4410. The resetting component 450 may apply a second force to the atleast one part (e.g., the first accessory 4412) of the first end 4410.The first force and the second force may be equal in size and oppositein direction. The position of the first component 441 relative to theposition of the second component 442 may remain unchanged under thefirst force and the second force. When the cable breaks, the first forceapplied by the cable may disappear. The second force may cause the firstend 4410 to rotate. Then, the position of the first component 441relative to a position of the second component 442 may change.

In some embodiments, the resetting component 450 may include an elasticpart and/or a clump weight. For example, the resetting component mayinclude a spring, a damper, a gum elastic, or the like, or a combinationthereof. As another example, the resetting component 450 may include aclump weight connected to the second end 4420. When the cable breaks andthe first force disappears, the clump weight may move downward, causedby the gravity of the clump weight. The position of the first component441 relative to the position of the second component 442 may change. Thechange of the position of the first component 441 relative to theposition of the second component 442 may trigger the second component442 to provide a response as described elsewhere in this disclosure(e.g., FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 , and the descriptions thereof).

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. However, thosevariations and modifications do not depart the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the transmission apparatus 400 may include oneor more connectors and/or fixing members configured to connect the firstcomponent 441 and/or the second component 442 with the base assembly410. As another example, the transmission apparatus 400 may also includeother lifting lugs except the lifting lug 412. In some embodiments, thefirst component 441 may include a sliding block. The sliding block maybe connected to the lifting lug 412 moveably. The change of the positionof the first component 441 relative to the position of the secondcomponent 442 may be achieved by the sliding of the sliding blockrelative to the lifting lug 412.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatus 500according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustratedin FIG. 5 , the transmission apparatus 500 may include a base assembly510, a wheel 522, and a response assembly 540. In some embodiments, thetransmission apparatus 500 may further include a cable (not shown inFIG. 5 ) for connecting a component of a medical device (e.g., thegantry head 230 of the X-ray device 200) to a clump weight. The baseassembly 510 may include a substrate 512, a first lifting lug 514, and asecond lifting lug 516. The response assembly 540 may include a firstcomponent 541 and a second component 542. More descriptions of the baseassembly 510, the wheel 522, the first component 541, and/or the secondcomponent 542 may be found elsewhere in the disclosure (e.g., FIGS. 2,3, 4, and 6 , and descriptions thereof).

In some embodiments, the second component 542 may include a circuitry5422 configured to generate a signal indicating the break of the cableof the transmission apparatus 500. The signal indicating the break ofthe cable may be outputted by the circuitry 5422 in the form of, forexample, voice, text, video, image, etc. In some embodiments, the signalindicating the break of the cable may be outputted by the circuitry 5422to, for example, the terminal 140 to notify a user. For example, theterminal 140 may display an alert or emit a sound to notify the user ofthe break of the cable. For example, when the cable of the transmissionapparatus 500 breaks, the first component 541 (e.g., a rotary arm) mayrotate and come into contact with the second component 542, which maytrigger the circuitry 5422. The circuitry 5422 may generate a sound inresponse to the contact between the first component 541 and the secondcomponent 542.

In some embodiments, the circuitry 5422 may include a microswitch and aprocessor connected to the microswitch. The microswitch may be triggeredwhen the cable breaks to cause the circuitry 5422 to generate anelectronic signal. The processor may include one or more hardwareprocessors, such as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a reducedinstruction set computer (RISC), an application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), an application-specific instruction-set processor(ASIP), a central processing unit (CPU), a physics processing unit(PPU), a microcontroller unit, a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), any circuit or processor capable ofexecuting one or more functions, or the like, or any combinationsthereof. The electronic signal may be transferred to and processed bythe processor to generate a reminder indicating the break of the cable.The reminder indicating the break of the cable may be outputted by theprocessor to notify a user or operation the break of the cable.

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. However, thosevariations and modifications do not depart the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the second component 542 may further include amechanical part configured to stop the rotation of the wheel 522 whenthe cable breaks.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary transmission apparatus 600according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustratedin FIG. 6 , the transmission apparatus 600 may include a base assembly610, a wheel 622, and a response assembly 640. In some embodiments, thetransmission apparatus 600 may further include a cable (not shown inFIG. 6 ) for connecting a component of a medical device (e.g., thegantry head 230 of the X-ray device 200) to a clump weight. The responseassembly 640 may include a first component 641 and a second component642. More descriptions of the base assembly 610, the wheel 622, thefirst component 641, and/or the second component 642 may be foundelsewhere in the disclosure (e.g., FIGS. 2-5 and the descriptionsthereof).

In some embodiments, the first component 641 may include a cylinder. Thecylinder may include a first plate 6412 and a second plate 6414. Agroove may be formed by the first plate 6412, the second plate 6414, anda circumference of the cylinder. The groove may be configured toaccommodate at least one portion of the cable.

In some embodiments, the second component 642 may include a mechanicalaccessory configured to stop the wheel 622 from rotating. In someembodiments, the second component 642 may include a support 6421, aresetting component 6422, and a locking block 6423. The support 6421 maybe fixed to the base assembly 610 (e.g., a lifting lug as described inFIG. 3 ). The locking block 6423 may be connected to the support 6421movably. The resetting component 6422 may be connected with the lockingblock 6423 and the support 6421. When the cable of the transmissionapparatus 600 breaks, the resetting component 6422 may be configured tocause the locking block 6423 to be in contact with the wheel 622, whichmay stop the rotation of the wheel 622. For example, when thetransmission apparatus 600 runs normally (i.e., the cable does notbreak), one end of the first component 641 may contact to the lockingblock 6423 and apply a first force on the locking block 6423. Theresetting component 6422 may apply a second force on the locking block6423. The first force and the second force may be equal in size andopposite in direction. The locking block 6423 may be immobilized underthe first force and the second force. When the cable breaks, the firstcomponent 641 may rotate. The end of the first component 641 may beseparated from the locking block 6423. The first force may disappear,and the second force may drive the locking block 6423 to move andcontact with the wheel 622, which may cause the stopping of the wheel622.

In some embodiments, the resetting component 6422 may include an elasticpart, for example, a spring, a damper, a gum elastic, or the like, or acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the locking block 6423 mayhave a groove. The groove on the locking block 6423 may be configured toaccommodate at least one portion of the first component 641 when thetransmission apparatus 600 runs normally. When the cable breaks, the atleast one portion of the first component 641 may be out of the groove.The locking block 6423 may be driven by the resetting component 6422 tostop the rotation of the wheel 622. In some embodiments, the lockingblock 6423 may be configured with a bulge. The bulge may be configuredto cooperate with the first component 641 when the transmissionapparatus 600 runs normally. For example, the first component 641 mayhave a groove. The bulge of the locking block 6423 may be accommodatedin the groove when the transmission apparatus 600 runs normally. Whenthe cable breaks, the bulge of the locking block 6423 may be out of thegroove of the first component 641. The locking block 6423 may be drivenby the resetting component 6422 to stop the rotation of the wheel 622.

In some embodiments, the locking block 6423 may be configured to stopthe rotation of the wheel 622 by a friction force between the lockingblock 6423 and the wheel 622 when the locking block 6423 is contactedwith the wheel 622. In some embodiments, the wheel 622 may be configuredwith at least one locking hole 6222. The locking block 6423 may movetoward the wheel 622 and embed in the locking hole 6222, which may stopthe rotation of the wheel 622. In some embodiments, the wheel 622 mayhave multiple locking holes. The multiple locking holes may be arrangedon the wheel 622 along the same circumference with the same or differentinterval. When the cable breaks, the locking block 6423 may beautomatically inserted into one of the multiple locking holes closest tothe locking block 6423, which may stop the wheel 622 from furtherrotating.

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. However, thosevariations and modifications do not depart the scope of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, the second component 642 may furtherinclude a circuitry described elsewhere in this disclosure (e.g., FIG. 5and descriptions thereof). The circuitry may be configured to generate asignal indicating the break of the cable. The second component 642 maybe configured to stop the rotation of the wheel 622. The signal may beoutput to notify the user of the break of the cable. In someembodiments, the second component 642 may include a shaft, a spring, anda wedge. The shaft may be connected to the base assembly 610. The springmay be enwrap the shaft. The spring may be coupled with the wedge. Thespring and the wedge may move along the shaft. The wedge may beconfigured with a locking part. When the cable breaks, the firstcomponent 641 may come into contact with a surface of the wedge andslide from a small end face to the large end face. The wedge may slidealong the shaft and compress the spring until the locking part locks thewheel 622.

Moreover, certain terminology has been used to describe embodiments ofthe present disclosure. For example, the terms “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” and/or “some embodiments” mean that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.Therefore, it is emphasized and should be appreciated that two or morereferences to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “an alternativeembodiment” in various portions of this specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics may be combined assuitable in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Further, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects ofthe present disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any ofa number of patentable classes or context including any new and usefulprocess, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new anduseful improvement thereof. Accordingly, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software(including firmware, resident software, micro-code) or combiningsoftware and hardware implementation that may all generally be referredto herein as a “unit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects ofthe present disclosure may take the form of a computer program productembodied in one or more computer readable media having computer readableprogram code embodied thereon.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including electro-magnetic, optical, or thelike, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computerreadable storage medium and that may communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on acomputer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriatemedium, including wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, or thelike, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent disclosure may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB. NET,Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, suchas the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2103, Perl, COBOL2102, PHP, ABAP, dynamic programming languages such as Python, Ruby andGroovy, or other programming languages. The program code may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider) or in a cloud computing environment or offered as aservice such as a Software as a Service (SaaS).

Furthermore, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, orthe use of numbers, letters, or other designations, therefore, is notintended to limit the claimed processes and methods to any order exceptas may be specified in the claims. Although the above disclosurediscusses through various examples what is currently considered to be avariety of useful embodiments of the disclosure, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the appended claimsare not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, areintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. For example,although the implementation of various components described above may beembodied in a hardware device, it may also be implemented as a softwareonly solution, e.g., an installation on an existing server or mobiledevice.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description ofembodiments of the present disclosure, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereofto streamline the disclosure aiding in the understanding of one or moreof the various inventive embodiments. This method of disclosure,however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recitedin each claim. Rather, inventive embodiments lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or propertiesused to describe and claim certain embodiments of the application are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about,”“approximate,” or “substantially.” For example, “about,” “approximate,”or “substantially” may indicate ±20% variation of the value itdescribes, unless otherwise stated. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the numerical parameters set forth in the written description andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. Insome embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in lightof the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinaryrounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges andparameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of theapplication are approximations, the numerical values set forth in thespecific examples are reported as precisely as practicable.

Each of the patents, patent applications, publications of patentapplications, and other material, such as articles, books,specifications, publications, documents, things, and/or the like,referenced herein is hereby incorporated herein by this reference in itsentirety for all purposes, excepting any prosecution file historyassociated with same, any of same that is inconsistent with or inconflict with the present document, or any of same that may have alimiting affect as to the broadest scope of the claims now or laterassociated with the present document. By way of example, should there beany inconsistency or conflict between the description, definition,and/or the use of a term associated with any of the incorporatedmaterial and that associated with the present document, the description,definition, and/or the use of the term in the present document shallprevail.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of theapplication disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of theembodiments of the application. Other modifications that may be employedmay be within the scope of the application. Thus, by way of example, butnot of limitation, alternative configurations of the embodiments of theapplication may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein.Accordingly, embodiments of the present application are not limited tothat precisely as shown and described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for transferring a component of an X-raymedical device, comprising: a base; a transmission assembly configuredto move a component of the medical device, the transmission assemblyincluding: a cable, an end of the cable being connecting to a part ofthe component of the medical device; and a wheel connected to the base,wherein the cable passes through the wheel; and a response assemblyconnected to the transmission assembly, the response assembly beingconfigured to generate a response in response to a break of the cable,wherein the response assembly includes a first component and a secondcomponent, and when the cable breaks, a position of the first componentrelative to a position of the second component changes and causes thesecond component to generate an electronic signal in response to thebreak of the cable.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein when the cablebreaks, the change of the position of the first component relative tothe position of the second component includes one of: the firstcomponent coming in contact with the second component, or the firstcomponent becoming separated from the second component.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first component includes a rotary arm connected tothe base, the rotary arm including a first end configured to come incontact with or become separated from the second component in responseof the break of the cable.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the firstend of the rotary arm has a curved surface contacting with the cable. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein the first end of the rotary arm includesa first accessory and a second accessory, the second accessory includinga cylinder connected to the first accessory.
 6. The device of claim 5,wherein the second accessory includes a groove configured to accommodateat least one portion of the cable.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein thesecond accessory includes a first plate and a second plate connected tothe cylinder, and the groove is formed by the first plate, the secondplate, and a circumference of the cylinder.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the response assembly further includes a first resettingcomponent attached to the first component, the first resetting componentbeing configured to, when the cable breaks, cause the change of theposition of the first component relative to the position of the secondcomponent.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first resettingcomponent includes at least one of an elastic part or a clump weight.10. The device of claim 1, wherein the second component includes acircuitry, which is configured to generate the electronic signal, andthe electronic signal indicates the break of the cable.
 11. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the electronic signal indicating the break of thecable is configured to generate a signal that is in a form of at leastone of voice, text, a video, or an image.
 12. The device of claim 1,wherein in response to the break of the cable, the response assembly isfurther configured to generate a response to the electronic signal, andthe response includes stopping the wheel to rotate.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein the second component includes a mechanical accessoryconfigured to stop the wheel to rotate.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the mechanical accessory includes a support, a second resettingcomponent, and a locking block, wherein the support is connected to thebase, the second resetting component is connected to the support and thelocking block, and the second resetting component is configured to drivethe locking block to stop the wheel in response to the change of theposition of the first component relative to the position of the secondcomponent.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the locking blockincludes a groove configured to accommodate at least one portion of thefirst component.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the wheel includesat least one hole configured to accommodate at least one portion of thelocking block so as to stop the wheel.
 17. A system, comprising: ascanner including a radiation source; and a transmission apparatusconfigured to transfer a component of the scanner, the transmissionapparatus including: a base; a transmission assembly configured to movea component of the medical device, the transmission assembly including:a cable, an end of the cable being connecting to a part of the componentof the medical device; and a wheel connected to the base, wherein thecable passes through the wheel; and a response assembly connected to thetransmission assembly, the response assembly being configured togenerate a response in response to a break of the cable, wherein theresponse assembly includes a first component and a second component, andwhen the cable breaks, a position of the first component relative to aposition of the second component changes and causes the second componentto generate an electronic signal in response to the break of the cable.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic signal indicates thebreak of the cable is configured to generate a signal that is in a formof at least one of voice, text, a video, or an image.
 19. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the response assembly second component includes acircuitry, which is configured to generate the electronic signal, andthe electronic signal indicates the break of the cable.
 20. The systemof claim 17, wherein when the cable breaks, the change of the positionof the first component relative to the position of the second componentincludes one of: the first component coming in contact with the secondcomponent, or the first component becoming separated from the secondcomponent.